Zig-zag sewing machine

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a stitching pattern selecting device for a zig-zag sewing machine, in form of a pattern cam selector dial showing stitching patterns which can be produced by selecting one of a number of pattern cams of the machine, an indicator movable with reference to the dial and being coupled with the respective cams so that when it is located opposite an indicia on the dial, it also has selected the associated cam. A table adjacent the dial is provided with indicia indicative of machine adjustments which are to be carried out when one of the pattern cams has been selected.

[ Mar. 18, 1975 1 ZIG-ZAG SEWING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Susumu Hanyu,Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co.,

Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Jan. 7, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 431,560

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 9, l973 Japan 48-4926 52 us.c|......' 112/158 1" [51 1m. 01 D05b 3/02 [58] Field of Search ..112/158R, 158 A, 158 B, 112/158 C, 158 D, 158 F sriich Typ essin Pr Ar ue/imam(H) d/e Nee Position Feeding. Spe (J) Amplitude (K) 3,279,402 10/1966Eguchi 112/158 D 3,356,051 12/1967 Eguchi 112/158 D FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS I 919,973 2/1963 United Kingdom 112/158 F PrimaryE.\'aminerWerner H. Schroeder Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michae1 S.Striker 57 ABSTRACT The invention provides a stitching pattern selectingdevice for a zig-zag sewing machine, in form of a pattern cam selectordial showing stitching patterns which can be produced by selecting oneof a number of pattern cams of the machine, an indicator movable withreference to the dial and being coupled with the respective cams so thatwhen it is located opposite an indicia on the dial, it also has selectedthe associated cam. A table adjacent the dial is provided with indiciaindicative of machine adjustments which are to be carried out when oneof the pattern cams has been selected.

111 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Chain Siitch (1.) Straight Stitch/M)Repair Stitch (N) uromaiic Sriich (0/ /S/ng/e c PIJENTEU Q 3.871.310

SHEET 1 0f 2 Chain 5mm (L) Sim/gm Sine/NM) Repair Silich (/Vi AutomaticSriich (0/ (Single c Wife/7 Type (6) Pressing A rm chmenf (H Need/ePosirion ii Feeding Speed (J) Amplitude (K) 1 8 BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates generally to a sewing machine,and more particularly to a zig-zag sewing machine. Still moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a zig-zag sewing machinehaving pattern cams and a pattern cam selecting mechanism.

Zig-zag sewing machines are well-known and require no detaileddescription, and neither does the fact that there are many such sewingmachines available commercially which permit a particular stitchingpattern to be selected by utilizing one or more cams. Such pattern camsare used to make the machine produce a specific stitching pattern. Suchmachines also use additional cams for changing the zigzag amplitude, theneedle position and the feeding speed.

It is also known to provide such machines with a pattern panel showing aplurality of stitching patterns, but the selection of a stitchingpattern corresponding to a particular stitching type depends mainly onthe memory of the operator or on the use by the operator of anexplanatory manual. This means that the decision as to which cam toselect is cumbersome and timeconsuming. Moreover, quite frequently thedesired type of stitching pattern is often not obtained or not exactlyobtained, because of a misunderstanding or a faulty memory on the partof the operator, with the result that an undesirable pattern may beproduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the inventionto over come the disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to, provide animproved zig-zag sewing machine wherein these disadvantages areeliminated.

In keeping with these objects, and with others which will becomeapparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a zig-zagsewing machine having pattern cams and a pattern cam selectingmechanism. Briefly stated, the invention comprises a combination of apattern cam selector dial provided with a plurality of first indiciaeach representative ofa stitching pattern which can be produced byselecting one of the pattern cams, and an index movable with referenceto the dial to indicate respective ones of the first indicia. The indexis connected with the pattern cam selecting mechanism so as to selectduring such movement the pattern cam which is associated with therespective first indicium. A table is provided adjacent the dial and hassecond indicia indicative of machine adjustments to be carried out whena respective pattern cam has been selected. Indicating means extendsbetween the first and the second indicia to indicate which secondindicia are associated with which first indicia, and vice versa.

By resorting to the present invention, the operator of the novel sewingmachine can readily and simply select desired stitching patterns inaccordance with associated stitching types, and can make such machineadjustments as may be necessary, for instance by selecting thecorresponding presser or other attachment, by selecting a requisiteneedle position, feeding speed or zigzag amplitude.

Moreover, the machine according to the present invention is so simple tooperate that it requires no particular skill and does not adverselyinfluence the speed and efficiency of the operator.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following de scription of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary verticalcross-section showing an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,but showing the lid in closed position; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic vertical section of a further embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing ingeneral it will be noted that in all Figures the details of the actualsewing machine, including the frame of the same, have been omitted.Zig-zag sewing machines are too well known to require a detaileddescription as to their structure and operation. However, if furtherinformation is desired, reference may be had to my prior U.S. Pat. No.3,641,957 wherein a zig-zag sewing machine is fully disclosed.

For the sake of simplicity I have also omitted any showing of patterncams or a pattern cam selector mechanism, except that inFIG. 1 l haveillustrated such a mechanism diagrammatically and identified it withreference character M. A sewing machine using pattern cams and a patterncam selector mechanism, and with which the present invention may forinstance be utilized, is disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,092.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, it is seenthat reference numeral 1 identifies a cover plate which is detachablymounted on a nonillustrated frame of a sewing machine of the zig-zagtype. As a comparison of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 clearly shows, the cover plate1 is formed with an opening or cutout having a top opening la and afront opening 1b, it being understood that the front opening 112 will bearranged to face the sewing machine operator. A lid 2 is mounted on thecover plate 1 by means of a pivot 3 in the region of a rear side of thetop opening 1a, that is a side which is remote from the front opening lb(compare FIGS. 1 and 3). The lid 2 is pivotably movable between a firstposition (shown in full lines in FIG. 1) in which it exposes the topopening 1a, and a broken-line second position in which it overlies thetop opening la. Mounted in the front opening 1b, by means of a panelsupport 4 which is secured to the non-illustrated machine'frame, is atransparent plate 5 which may be of an appropriate synthetic plasticresin, e.g. PVC. I wish it to be understood that the front opening 1bcould be omitted and that the plate 5 could be a part of the cover plate1, for instance by being integral therewith. The entire plate 1 could betransparent or translucent, or all but the transparent portion 5 couldbe opaque.

Located inwardly of and visible through the transparent plate 5 is apattern cam selector dial 6 provided with a plurality of indicia 7a, 7b,7c each of which is representative of a stitching pattern that can beproduced by selecting one of the non-illustrated pattern cams. Ifdesired, it is also possible to omit the separate panel or dial 6 and toprovide the indicia 7a, 7b, 7c directly on the plate 5.

Reference numeral 8 identifies a movable index or pointer that can movebetween the plate 5 and the panel 6 in parallelism with the two, andwhich of course is visible through the plate 5 as seen in FIG. 2. Theindex 8 includes a movable base 9 which carries the pointer and producesthe movement of the same relative to the dial 6 in the longitudinaldirection of the latter, that is normal to the plane of the drawing inFIG. 1. In non-illustrated but conventionally obvious manner the base 9is connected with the pattern cam selecting mechanism M (shown onlydiagrammatically) so that, as the pointer 8 moves longitudinally of thedial 6 to one of the indicia 7a, 7b, 7c the cam which produces thestitching pattern identified by the particular indicia is selectedduring the movement of the base 9 as soon as the pointer 8 is locatedopposite the respective indicium.

Reference numeral 10 identifies a member which carries on its upwardlydirected surface (i.e., the surface which is directed upwardly when themember 10 assumes the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) a table 12 whichreplaces the heretofore required instruction manuals. In the illustratedembodiment the member 10 is pivoted at 10a to the lid 2, and at 10b tothe cover plate 1. Intermediate the pivots 10a and 101] the member 10 isprovided with a notch 11 about which it can fold from the full-line tothe broken-line position of FIG. 1 depending upon whether the lid 2 ismoved to open or closed position.

The table 12 is provided with various columns A-F showing differentinformation, such as adjustments to be made to the machine. Forinstance, column A shows the kind of stitches, column B shows thepressing attachment" to be used, columns C, D and E show letters orfigures indicating needle positions, feeding speeds and zig-zagamplitude, and column F is provided with indicating lines 13 whichconnect the vertical rows formed in these columns with the correspondingindicia 7a, 7b, 7c on the dial 6.

When a machine having the present invention is to be used with itspattern cams, the cover 2 is first opened to the full-line positionshown in FIG. 1. Next, the operator looks at the column A showing thekind of stitches and selects a corresponding indicium 7a, 7b, 7cThereupon, the operator moves the base 9 by manipulating a dial or thelike (not illustrated) until the index 8 is aligned with the selectedpattern, i.e., with the selected indicium 7a, 7b, 7c Since the movementof the base 9 and pointer 8 causes a simultaneous selection of the camwhich is capable of producing the pattern represented by the indiciaagainst which the pointer 8 has been placed, the machine is now ready toproduce such a stitching pattern. Any machine adjustments that must befurther made are indicated by reference to columns B, C, D and E, thevertical row appropriate for the respective selected indicium 7a, 7b, 7cbeing indicated by the respective line or lines 13.

If, for instance, the chain stitch of column A is desired, the patternrepresented by indicia 7a is selected as indicated by the connectingline 13 in column F. The index 8 is then moved until it is opposite theindicium 7a as shown in FIG. 2, and the presser foot and the chainstitching shuttle shown in column B are now attached to the sewingmachine. The needle position is set to the M position as indicated bycolumn C, the feeding speed is set to between 2 and 3 as indicated incolumn D, and the zigzag amplitude is set to zero, as indicated incolumn E. The machine is now ready for use. Similar setting operationsare carried out if for instance straight stitching or pattern stitchingshould be selected from column A.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the lid isidentified with reference numeral 17 and is pivoted at 16 so it can turnbetween the full-line position and the broken-line position illustratedin FIG. 4. The member 17 is mounted on the cover plate 14 and carries onone of its two major surfaces, namely the one identified with referencenumeral 18, a table similar to the table 12 of FIG. 2. In all otherrespects the embodiment of FIG. 4 corresponds to that of FIG. 2, i.e.,relative to the components 5,6, 8 and 9. It will be appreciated thatwhen the member 17 is in the full-line position, the table at thesurface 18 is exposed to view, whereas when the member 17 is in thebroken-line position 17a, the surface 18 and therefore the table thereonwill be facing downwardly and be concealed from view. The two majorsurfaces, of which the surface 18 is one, are inclined with reference toone another so that when the table on the surface 18 is in fact exposedas shown in FIG. 4, it will be so inclined to the operator of themachine (who should be understood to be to the right of FIG. 4) that thetable can readily be read. The arrow X indicates the direction ofrotation of the member 17.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in azig-zag sewing machine having pattern cams and a pattern cam selectingmechanism, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, sincevarious modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

1. In a zig-zag sewing machine having pattern cams and a pattern camselecting mechanism, a combination comprising a pattern cam selectordial provided with a plurality of first indicia each representative of astitching pattern which can be produced by selecting one of said patterncams; an index movable with reference to said dial to indicaterespective ones of said first indicia, and being connected with saidpattern cam selecting mechanism so as to select during such movement thepattern cam which is associated with the respective first indicium; atable adjacent said dial and provided with second indicia some of whichare indicative of machine adjustments to be carried out when arespective pattern cam has been selected; and indicating means extendingbetween said first and second indicia to indicate which second indiciaare associated with which first indicia.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1; and further comprising apivotable lid movable between a first position in which it exposes saidtable, and a second position in which it conceals said table.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said table is providedon said lid.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said lid has two majorsurfaces on one of which said table is provided; and wherein said onemajor surface is exposed when said lid is in said first position and theother of said major surfaces is exposed when said lid is in said secondposition.

5. A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said table is providedon a foldable member which is connected with said lid and unfolds whensaid lid moves from said second position to said first position, and

folds when said lid moves from said first position to said secondposition.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1; further comprising a cover platecovering said index and having a portion adjacent the same; and whereinsaid dial is provided on a dial plate adjacent said index.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said portion istransparent, and said dial plate is located inwardly spaced from saidportion said index being movable in a space defined between said dialplate and said portion.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7; and further comprising fixedsupport means for supporting said transparent portion.

9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said index comprises apointer, and a movable base carrying said pointer and being movable withthe same relative to said dial.

10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said movable base isconnected with said pattern cam selecting mechanism.

l =l l=

1. In a zig-zag sewing machine having pattern cams and a pattern camselecting mechanism, a combination comprising a pattern cam selectordial provided with a plurality of first indicia each representative of astitching pattern which can be produced by selecting one of said patterncams; an index movable with reference to said dial to indicaterespective ones of said first indicia, and being connected with saidpattern cam selecting mechanism so as to select during such movement thepattern cam which is associated with the respective first indicium; atable adjacent said dial and provided with second indicia some of whichare indicative of machine adjustments to be carried out when arespective pattern cam has been selected; and indicating means extendingbetween said first and second indicia to indicate which second indiciaare associated with which first indicia.
 2. A combination as defined inclaim 1; and further comprising a pivotable lid movable between a firstposition in which it exposes said table, and a second position in whichit conceals said table.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 2, whereinsaid table is provided on said lid.
 4. A combination as defined in claim3, wherein said lid has two major surfaces on one of which said table isprovided; and wherein said one major surface is exposed when said lid isin said first position and the other of said major surfaces is exposedwhen said lid is in said second position.
 5. A combination as defined inclaim 3, wherein said table is provided on a foldable member which isconnected with said lid and unfolds when said lid moves from said secondposition to said first position, and folds when said lid moves from saidfirst position to said second position.
 6. A combination as defined inclaim 1; further comprising a cover plate covering said index and havinga portion adjacent the same; and wherein said dial is provided on a dialplate adjacent said index.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6,wherein said portion is transparent, and said dial plate is locatedinwardly spaced from said portion, said index being movable in a spacedefined between said dial plate and said portion.
 8. A combination asdefined in claim 7; and further comprising fixed support means forsupporting said transparent portion.
 9. A combination as defined inclaim 1, wherein said index comprises a pointer, and a movable basecarrying said pointer and being movable with the same relative to saiddial.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said movable baseis connected with said pattern cam selecting mechanism.